Auto Industry NewsAnd Car Reviews

Of the many car companies to come from Japan, only a few were able to come here on their own. The rest made the journey by building vehicles for American car companies as private label manufacturers. One of these contract car builders was Isuzu Motors, purveyors of SUVs like the Isuzu Rodeo and Isuzu Trooper. And they've made a lot more vehicles than you probably think they have.

We’ve already explored the final resting places of historical vehicles but movie buffs have a sweet spot in their hearts for fictional cars as well. These automobiles don’t usually have lines but they become characters just as easily as the people who speak.

Road trips are an integral part of the American summer. We are a country that likes to travel and we have such a huge piece of land that you can see anything from mountains to beaches to sun dappled forests all in the same day if you choose. Over the years automakers have produced cars made to answer the call of wanderlust.

Automobiles are part of our collective history. Things happen to cars and the people in them which give them a special place in our hearts and minds. Even tragedies lend an air of mystery to the vehicle involved and, as a society, we seek to preserve them. So, what has happened to the various historical vehicles and where are they now?*

So, you see a commercial for a hot new car or you see one in your neighbor’s driveway and you think, “Man, I’d like to drive one of those!” You aren’t in the market for a new vehicle, but your interest is piqued and you call the dealership to see if you can drive one. Or maybe you are looking to trade your old car for a newer model and you schedule an appointment to test out something snazzy. Then the enthusiasm wanes and you don’t show up, or you forget you had an appointment at all. This is a problem for dealerships across the nation. “No shows” cost sales and are generally disappointing for sales personnel.

There are more and more stories concerning new automobile technology. President Obama even recently “test drove” new vehicle-to-vehicle communication technology. He wasn’t on the road or even in a real car but he virtually tested some technology of the future and gave it his seal of approval. Autonomous vehicles are also hot topics and are seen as an inevitable advancement in personal travel.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched a preliminary investigation concerning 2004-2007 Ford Crown Victoria, Mercury Grand Marquis, and Mercury Marauder vehicles, all produced by Ford. The investigation stems from five complaints received by the NHTSA stating that the vehicles became difficult or impossible to steer while driving.

There’s a huge challenge with a “huger” reward available to all hackers. If you happen to be in Beijing this week and you think you have exceptional hacking skills, stop by the 2014 SyScan Conference. There’s $10,000 on the table for anyone who can hack into the computer inside a Tesla Model S.

Don’t you love it when someone tells you that you look good or pretty or, best of all, hot? If someone happens to tell you that while you are driving a Grand Cherokee or Durango, you might want to do more than blush and smile. They could be clueing you in on a more serious matter.

When you buy a gas-powered vehicle you have to factor in gas prices, but you assume a gas station will be there when you need one. It’s not so easy when you buy an electric-powered car. You still have to account for fees when using public charging stations, but you can’t count on one being convenient when you need it. The money, time to charge, and lack of stations are hurdles that EV sellers are trying to deal with.

The vehicle you choose, powertrain you build, and other components are 90% of what makes a vehicle off-road worthy. Not all are meant to be axle-twisting rigs—many people need their truck or SUV to have decent street manners. On the other hand, pavement isn’t a priority for some—off-road ability is all that matters. Here are the three phases of off-road vehicles and what you need to do to accomplish each.